This is a rating of the best wireless earbuds with the LDAC codec. The rating includes only tested Bluetooth earbuds on MyChooz in three form factors: full-size, in-ear, and open-fit in the TWS format. Position in the rating takes into account the score for all evaluated parameters — sound, features, and build quality.
More about the LDAC codec: compatibility, actual quality improvement, where the codec works, etc.
More detailsCompatibility. The LDAC codec is the second most available audio codec on Android after AAC and SBC. With the LDAC codec, the sound is less compressed and more detailed, and the best sound quality is achieved with the “quality” preset at a bitrate of 909/990 Kbps. The codec appeared in Android 8.0 and is supported by all phones and tablets, except for some models where the manufacturer removed the codec from the system or the codec is hardware-locked. Therefore, in 99.9% of cases, an Android source is compatible with earbuds that have the LDAC codec.
The impact on sound, expectations versus reality. Sometimes, potential owners of headphones with the LDAC codec mistakenly think that having the codec guarantees high-quality sound. The formula “source with LDAC” + “headphones with LDAC” = “high-quality sound” doesn’t always work. The codec acts as a “data packer,” and the better the codec’s parameters, the fewer data losses occur during unpacking. The sound system plays the key role: the type and number of drivers, driver design, DACs and amplifiers, acoustic design, and other hidden parameters – both software and hardware. If any element in this system doesn’t work right, due to cost-cutting on components or a design flaw, the codec’s efficiency decreases. How else could it be? If the sound system can’t handle it, the codec won’t help.
Where does the LDAC codec work? Usually, the codec doesn’t work in earbuds under $50, or the quality improvement is minimal. More often, you get a noticeable improvement in earbuds $100+.
Quality improvements, and don’t let this surprise you, are more often noticeable in mid-range models and above. This is because the lower the production cost, the more limitations there are. At the same time, a high price for earbuds isn’t always an objective indicator of potential quality; there are models with cheap production and a high markup. And this markup usually goes into the pockets of the company’s shareholders or is distributed among famous personalities from the music and film industries. That’s why there are exceptions in models that are cheaper or more expensive.
A real boost with the LDAC codec. Based on my experience testing earbuds with different driver types and designs, the boost ranges from 1-3% to 15-20%. This is an approximate value because I have to rely on my hearing during tests. No devices for measuring quality have been invented yet. At least, I haven’t come across any.
It’s important to understand two main points. First, with the LDAC codec, you get an increase in detail. Naturalness doesn’t get better, and neither does the soundstage. The sound balance also doesn’t change.
Second, the percentage increase for each pair of earbuds is different. A 15-20% increase in earbuds with an overall score of 5-6 out of 10 is not comparable to a 3-5% increase in earbuds scoring 8-9. So, when you notice a big increase with a codec, it’s worth checking the overall sound score.
Which codec is better – LDAC or LHDC?
More detailsFor availability, LDAC is better, for features, LHDC is better.
| maximum bitrate | up to 990 kbps | up to 900 kbps (v3/4), up to 1000 kbps (v5) |
| maximum frequency / bitrate | 24 bit / 96 kHz | 24 bit / 96 kHz (v3/v4), up to 24 bit / 192 kHz (v5) |
| bitrate control | 330 / 660 / 990 kbps, adaptive bitrate – 330-990 kb. | 400 / 500 / 900 / 1000 kbps, adaptive bitrate – 128-1000 kb. |
| Audio latency | ~160–200 ms | ~200 ms (there’s an LLAC / LHDC LL low latency mode with up to 30 ms latency |
| Integration into Android | Native support with Android 8.0+ | Basic structure in AOSP with Android 10, native support v5 with Android 17 |
| Lossless mode | No | LHDC 5.0 claims lossless |
The specs for both codecs are comparable, with LHDC having a slight edge. More settings are available for tuning, the sampling rate is higher, and there are switches for LHDC lossless and reducing audio latency.
But when it comes to codec prevalence, LDAC is far ahead. The codec appeared on Android version 8.0+, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility. More headphones are available that support LDAC across different price ranges. More USB adapters support LDAC. For comparison, there are only 2 USB adapters for LHDC, and only one of them works without issues. Although, in the future, LHDC might catch up to LDAC in prevalence and even has a chance to overtake it. A more flexible license offering and minimal royalties for the license will quickly popularize the LHDC codec among manufacturers.
In terms of signal stability, both codecs are on the same level.
In terms of sound, both codecs deliver the same quality, and you’d have to listen closely to hear a difference. This is if the earbuds support LDAC and LHDC. Therefore, you should focus on the sound system first, and then on the codec. More about codecs.
EMMA — Experts + Methodology + MyChoozers + Algorithm.
Every model goes through identical tests; the score is calculated automatically with fixed weights — a spot in the rating cannot be bought.
TOP 15: Best Wireless Earbuds with LDAC Codec (2026) – Rating
1. Noble Audio FoKus Apollo Pro 9.01Best over-ear headphones for sound
Essentially, the Noble Audio FoKus Apollo Pro are the same as the FoKus Apollo, just with better tuning for balance. The Pro version has a more pleasant sound, and you won’t feel the need to manually tweak the EQ. Is it worth paying an extra $50 for this? Yes, especially if you plan to use the earbuds as they are and don’t know much about EQs. But if you can tune the EQ yourself or you like a bass-heavy and bright sound, then no. There’s no point in upgrading from the basic version to the Pro; the sound improvement is minimal.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 9.74 The earbuds draw you into the sound from the first seconds of listening. The bass is soft and harmonious, and the highs aren’t fatiguing. This is a rare case where the out-of-the-box sound doesn’t need EQ adjustments. The sound is accurate, detailed, and natural; there’s nothing to complain about. I liked the sound more than the basic Apollo, and I simply don’t want to take the earbuds off. The Noble Audio FoKus Apollo Pro are entering the gold league and are setting a new standard for over-ear headphones on MyChooz.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.00 In quiet conditions: 9 In noisy conditions: 7 The built-in microphone lacks gain, though the voice is clear. In noisy environments, it’s harder to make out the voice. The external boom microphone is more detailed and handles noise better. In all cases, the volume increases smoothly.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.03 Useful, has everything you need. Active noise cancellation suppresses about 50% of the noise, mainly in the low range. In transparency mode, you can have a conversation, but the mode isn’t comfortable. The controls are convenient; you can manage the player, calls, and surroundings with the buttons. There’s a switch to forcibly turn off the microphone – handy in games or when you need a short break without disconnecting. The connection itself is stable, but there’s no auto-pause sensor. The app has useful features, but the app itself has inconvenient ergonomics.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.67 Durable and reliable, it hasn’t changed at all compared to the base version. The exception is the mesh earcups. The sauna effect in summer slows down, but it doesn’t go away. The earcups don’t press on your ears, and slight fatigue emerges after 3-4 hours of use. The build quality is flawless, and the materials are premium. The headphones look good, I liked them.More details.
- Pleasant and soft sound out of the box.
- Comfortable fit, durable and reliable build quality
- Detachable boom microphone.
- Fabric trim collects dust and small debris
2. Noble Audio FoKus Apollo 8.87Best over-ear headphones for sound with an external microphone
Noble Audio FoKus Apollo – the best over-ear headphones for sound, especially for detail retrieval. The main reason to buy: reference-quality sound, and the earcups don’t press on your ears. There’s an external microphone with a switch to quickly turn off all microphones in the headphones. There are no significant drawbacks, if you don’t consider the price of the headphones and the slightly sharp highs in the sound, which can be smoothed out in the EQ.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 9.16 These headphones have the best sound for emotion and detail. The bass is deep and not overpowering. Mids are open with minimal loss in clarity. Reference-quality soundstage, great natural timbre, and solid detail retrieval. Imaging stays stable as instruments come and go. The sound has no noticeable artificial timbre or grain. There’s enough detail to hear tiny nuances in recordings. On the downside, the highs lack some softness. Too much percussion in a track can be fatiguing.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.50 In quiet environments: 10 In noisy environments: 7 It comes with an external microphone. There’s a button to mute all microphones.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.64 Active noise cancellation (ANC) blocks about 50% of noise. However, transparency mode is minimally suitable for conversations. Controls are button-based. They offer basic playback and call management. The app is user-friendly. It has a 10-band EQ and personalized sound tuning.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.50 The earcups don’t press on your ears. You might feel minor fatigue after 3-4 hours of use. The build quality is flawless, and the materials are premium. The headphones look good; I liked them.More details.
- Reference-quality sound
- Top-tier active noise cancellation
- Comfortable fit, with a strong and reliable build quality
- Minimally convenient transparency mode
- The fabric finish collects dust and small debris
3. Technics EAH-AZ100 8.88Best wireless earbuds 2026 – with the best sound under $350
Technics EAH-AZ100 are the best-sounding wireless earbuds among all TWS models under $350, and that’s the main reason to buy them. They take 2nd place for sound among all TWS models and 1st place for a combination of all parameters, in absolute terms, so to speak: sound + features + build quality. This model has no critical drawbacks.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 9.31 On a reference level. The main plus of the sound is naturalness, soundstage, detail retrieval, and highs. The main minus of the sound is a slightly distant mid-range and, as a result, vocals. There’s also a minimal lack of bass quantity and quality.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.00 It got better than the AZ80. In quiet conditions: 8 In noisy conditions: 8Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.08 The noise cancellation is enough to block out road noise, it’s better than average. Transparency is excellent, talking to someone will be comfortable. Battery life is excellent at 10 hours and 28 hours with the case, with LDAC + Noise Cancellation under the same conditions – 7 and 18 hours respectively. The controls are convenient, touch-based, but you need to get used to them. The app is excellent, I recommend choosing the LDAC codec and setting up the EQ in it.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 9.00 Comfortable, durable, and nice-looking. Comfort-wise, they feel good, with a slight sensation of earbuds in your ears. The charging case is compact. Solid build. IPx4 dust and water resistance only for the earbuds. The earbuds look nice, though nothing special.More details.
- Reference-quality sound among wireless earbuds
- Comfortable and nice build quality
- average noise cancellation
- Minor drawbacks: Slight lack of vocal intimacy. Small flaws in the app and build quality. average microphone
4. HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro 4 8.52The best wireless earbuds 2026 – for sound quality and features
Huawei Freebuds Pro 4 are the best wireless earbuds based on the sum of 32 testing parameters on MyChooz, among all in-ear wireless models under $200. And the main reason to buy them: the balance of sound, features, and build quality, plus a reference-quality microphone. On the downside, some features only work on Huawei devices with HarmonyOS: the L2HC codec, spatial audio, translator, voice assistant, and so on.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.46 The earbuds have great mids and transparent vocals. Vocals and instruments sound pretty natural, without distortion or artificial timbre. Detail retrieval is good enough to enjoy live instruments. On the downside, there’s a slight lack of bass. The soundstage is also a bit narrow.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.75 In quiet environments: 9.5 In noisy conditions: 10Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.52 This is a strong point for the model and the manufacturer in general. The active noise cancellation and transparency mode are sufficient for daily use. In our tests, playback time was up to 6.5 hours, considering the codec. The touch controls are convenient, with taps, swipes, and head gestures. The app isn’t overloaded with unnecessary features. However, on Android, you have to install the app manually after downloading it from the Huawei website.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.67 The earbuds have a comfortable fit. There’s no noticeable discomfort. No complaints about the build quality or materials. Only the earbud bodies are fingerprint magnets. Scratches on the charging case show up after a week of use. The earbuds look good. But the gold plating and brand name look a bit excessive. You can choose from 3 colors.More details.
- Top-tier sound
- Reference-quality microphone
- Top-tier controls
- The proprietary L2HC codec, translator, assistant, and other features only work on HarmonyOS devices
- Not critical: the soundstage lacks width, the highs have grain in some spots
5. ANKER SoundCore Liberty 5 Pro 8.51BEST TWS earbuds for functionality
The SoundCore Liberty 5 Pro focuses mainly on features that match reference-quality ones for each parameter. Overall, the model becomes a leader, right behind the Liberty 5 Pro Max. So, if features are your priority, the Liberty 5 Pro or 5 Pro Max will suit you. The sound isn’t bad, it just doesn’t stand out. It’s comfortable background sound for everyday listening. The improvement compared to the Liberty 4 Pro is minimal, and the results of the 3 Pro are not achievable at all.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.25 Traditionally with an emphasis on bass, though the amount of low frequencies is less compared to previous generations. Out of the box, the sound isn’t boring or harsh. It’s a comfortable background sound for everyday listening. Moderately detailed and natural. And pulling the score down are the lack of clarity and the soundstage. It’s like coming to a concert and listening to the performance from backstage or sitting in the very last side seats. Ordinary sound without critical flaws, moderately pleasant and melodic, especially with EQ tuning. Liberty 5 Pro – they land in the silver league MyChooz.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.75 In quiet conditions: 9.5 In noisy conditions: 10 In quiet conditions, the voice is detailed and clear, with minimal distortion. In noisy conditions with a vacuum cleaner running in the background, the voice sounds unnatural, more processed. However, background noise is isolated, and speech remains clear.More details.
Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 9.19 The headphones’ strong point and, by all parameters, minimally inferior to reference models. The only drawback is the app using up to 1.9 GB of RAM, averaging 1.5 GB. This is a lot; for comparison, the Noble headphones app uses about 110 MB.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.17 Solid, with no visible defects, on par with the previous generation. The headphones have less gloss and fingerprints are minimally visible, the case screen gets dirty more easily. The headphones are comfortable and don’t press, they fit snugly in the ears. The case and headphones look good, I liked the design.More details.
- Comfortable balanced sound.
- Reference-quality functionality.
- Comfortable fit.
- The sound is minimally better than the previous generation.
- The app uses up to 1.9 GB of RAM.
6. Nothing Ear ( 3 ) 2025 8.44Beautiful wireless earbuds for phone – with a microphone in the charging case
Nothing Ear ( 3 ) 2025 are beautiful wireless earbuds with top-tier build quality and features. The main reason to buy: top-tier sound, and it’s important to update the firmware. Out of the box, you get a balanced frequency response and a directional microphone in the charging case for talking in noisy places. On the downside, the active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode are average.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.38 The main plus for the sound is the mids and natural timbre. Vocals are intimate and clear. The sound is slightly unnatural, but it’s also free of artificial timbre. Plus, the bass is good and detailed.The main downside for the sound is the bright highs. This kind of sound is fatiguing, especially on tracks with lots of percussion. So, it’s important to update the firmware. The sound balance is nicer in the update.
More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.80 In quiet conditions: 8.6 In noisy conditions: 9 In quiet conditions, the balance fluctuates a bit. Noise cancellation removes background noise. Still, your voice is easy to understand. In noisy conditions, voice isolation is excellent, and noise is completely blocked. Sometimes the voice sounds a bit muffled, but it’s not hard to understand what’s being said.More details.
Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.28 ANC and transparency mode are minimally suitable for use — this is the earbuds’ weakest point. Battery life in our tests is up to 9.5 hours, and up to 38 hours with the charging case, considering the codec. They have convenient pinch controls on the earbud stem and a reference-quality app for ease of use and features.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.83 The earbuds are comfortable, but ear fatigue starts after 2 hours. The build quality is strong and reliable, with no assembly defects. The look is great and stands out from competitors.More details.
- Top-tier sound
- Detailed microphone with excellent voice isolation
- Reference-quality app
- Average active noise cancellation and transparency
- Bright tuning before the firmware update
- Overpriced on some marketplaces
7. Noble Audio Fokus REX5 8.43Best wireless TWS earbuds – #1 for sound quality
Noble Audio Fokus REX5 – the best wireless earbuds and #1 for sound quality on MyChooz. The main reason to buy: reference-quality sound in key areas: detail, naturalness, and soundstage. Sound-wise, they beat the Technics EAH-AZ100, and the 5 drivers in the earbuds aren’t just for show. Although, you will need to tweak the sound in the EQ. Sound tuning and ear tip selection will be covered in the full review. On the downside, the noise cancellation, transparency mode, and microphone are on par with models under $100.
So, this model is for anyone looking for the BEST in-ear wireless earbuds and wanting uncompromisingly great sound.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 9.29 The Noble FoKus REX5 showed the highest sound level in wireless headphones I’ve ever heard. Now it’s the reference, 0.5 points better than the Technics EAH-AZ100. But it’s not the reference in all aspects. The overall picture is wide, detailed, bright, and clean, with a 3D effect. Among the strengths: reference mids, reference detail, and soundstage for wireless headphones. There are sound drawbacks, the main one being that the highs sometimes start to grate.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.50 In quiet conditions: 8 In noisy conditions: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.40 Noise cancellation suppresses light background noise, and transparency mode is minimally sufficient for comfortable communication. Headphone playback time in our tests is 4.5-7.5 hours, depending on the codec. Controls are touch-sensitive with 3 actions: pause/play, track switching, and volume. The app is straightforward: it has 2 EQs and personal sound tuning.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.83 For headphones, it’s important to choose the right ear pads because the main fixation in the ears relies on the ear pads. Otherwise, the headphones are comfortable, and there’s no discomfort after two hours of use. The build is metal, with no complaints about the assembly or materials. The look of the headphones is nice and neat, and the bright colors are not off-putting.More details.
- Best sound, reference-level detail among wireless headphones
- Metal body for the charging case and headphones
- 2 EQs, settings can be combined; personalized Audiodo sound tuning
- Fit relies on ear pads. You need to adjust the headphones if the ear pads don’t fit
- The headphones cool down quickly in the cold
- Average functionality
8. Nothing Headphone (1) 8.22Large over-ear Nothing headphones
Nothing Headphone (1) – Nothing’s big headphones, a full-size model. The main reason to buy: cool design and reference-quality controls, a detailed microphone, and top-tier noise cancellation on par with leaders like Sony and Bose. With the LDAC codec, we get a 10-15% boost in quality. On the downside: average comfort in the headphones and EQ tuning is a must, because the out-of-the-box sound is at the level of models under $100.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 7.33 This is pretty much what I expected. You can tell these headphones have potential; they can definitely play. But the sound tuning is a bit off. I hope they fix the default EQ with firmware updates. EQ adjustment is a must for this model. We’ll get into that a bit later. It’s not hard. You set it once and forget about it.The main plus for the sound is its natural timbre and how well it responds to EQ. If the EQ couldn’t fix things, these would be a total underdog. With some tuning, you can easily add +1 point out of 10 to the overall score. The main downside is that everything feels a bit lacking: bass, mids, and highs. This makes them lose a lot of detail, and the soundstage feels a bit pushed back. It’s like the sound is coming from behind a wall in the next room. You want it to be right in front of you.
More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.50 In quiet conditions: 10 In noisy conditions: 7 In noisy conditions, it’s not perfect, but it’s good.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 9.17 The active noise cancellation is top-tier. It’s in the top 5 among all models. The transparency mode is also excellent. You can easily talk to someone without taking off your headphones. Battery life is great: up to 54 hours with LDAC and up to 80 hours with AAC. The controls are super convenient, reference-quality. Plus, they’re physical buttons and a wheel. The app is also reference-quality, with a user-friendly EQ.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 9.00 They’re comfortable; you can wear them for 2-3 hours without discomfort. Durability is also great, even though the finish is a fingerprint magnet. The design is unique, but they look WAY better in real life than in photos.More details.
- Good and balanced sound with EQ
- Microphone – top-tier
- Active noise cancellation and transparency mode – top-tier
- Controls and app – top-tier!
- Battery life – top-tier!
- Build quality – beautiful with some quirks.
- The sound needs EQ adjustment. Out of the box, the sound is on par with models under $100.
- Minor cons: the bass adjustment feature in the app didn’t work.
9. Huawei Freebuds 5 Pro 8.21Wireless TWS Earbuds with a Reference Microphone, Top Functionality, and Good Sound
The main reason to buy: good and not off-putting sound, reference-quality microphone, comfortable controls. Good noise cancellation and a top-tier transparency mode. Downsides: sound is above average, and most features are tied to the proprietary HarmonyOS firmware – translator, voice recorder, voice assistant, etc.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 7.21 The Huawei FreeBuds 5 Pro lacks bass and highs, and the mids are distant, but each of these issues is not critical. Listening to music is generally nice, and you only notice sound flaws when you compare them directly to the 4 Pro or reference-quality headphones like the Technics EAH-AZ100 or Noble FoKus Rex 5. The strong point of this model is that nothing in the sound bothers you, but nothing really grabs you either. For $200, you expect a first-league level (9-10 points), or at least a second-league level (8-9). But here we get a third bronze league (7-8 points), which is the level of models costing $50-100. If this model cost $50 — I would buy two, but more for the features than for the sound. But $150-200… No, thank you. And yes, after the Huawei FreeBuds 4 Pro, this is sadly a step backward in sound.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 9.75 Quiet 9.5 Noisy 10 The microphone quality hasn’t changed at all; it’s top-level.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 9.13 Noise cancellation is at a good level, it’s become a little better compared to the 4 Pro. The transparency mode has improved by 1 point, conversations are comfortable. Battery life has increased to 9 hours of playback and up to 38 hours with the charging case. The controls are reference-quality, touch-sensitive plus pinch. The app is good; in it, I recommend selecting the LDAC codec and setting up the EQ as I did.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 9.33 The model is comfortable, 2-3 hours without discomfort, durability is great. The design is peculiar, the charging case now looks like the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro and is worse in my opinion than the 4 Pro. The headphones themselves look a bit nicer and more compact.More details.
- Nothing in the sound is off-putting.
- Reference-quality microphone.
- Good noise cancellation and an excellent transparency mode.
- Comfortable build, nice design
- Sound is 7-8 out of 10 for the price of a 1st-tier product at $200.
- Voice assistant, translator, voice recorder, hearing protection, and other proprietary features are only available on devices with HarmonyOS.
10. Soundpeats Capsule 3 Pro Plus 8.16Best wireless earbuds for sound openness and detail under $80
Soundpeats Capsule 3 Pro Plus – the best wireless earbuds under $80, their main difference from the OnePlus Buds 3 is a more detailed and balanced sound, with less low-frequency emphasis. Soundpeats provide a rich, detailed sound with a deep bass foundation, distinct mids, and clear highs.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.71 The headphones have a wide sound range with great detail. The sound grabs you right away: deep bass, expressive mids, and clear highs. You can separate main and secondary parts, and some small details are audible. It’s a wide soundstage with instruments placed in space. The sound is naturally bright, and the highs get tiring quickly.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.50 In quiet conditions: 8 In noisy conditions: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.52 The headphones’ weak point. Noise cancellation minimally muffles background noise, and transparency is barely enough for use. Touch controls have 4 actions for basic player and call management. The app is inconvenient, with only a 10-band EQ being useful.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.73 The headphones fit snugly with the included ear pads in ears with large conchas. Minor fatigue emerges after a couple of hours of use. The headphones and case body feel solid, strong, and reliable. The finish is just prone to smudges and gets dirty quickly. The headphones look good; I think the gold accents are unnecessary.More details.
- Top-tier detail retrieval and soundstage width
- Deep bass
- Solid and reliable build quality
- Bright and harsh highs
- fingerprint magnet
- Mediocre features and the app
11. Noble Audio Osprey 8.15Best TWS earbuds – bassy and bright sound
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.83 Dynamic — the bass and percussion sound accented, but they don’t throw things off balance. An exception is tracks with a lot of percussion, like Oasis – Dont Go Away. In such tracks, you feel a “hint” of metal and minor fatigue. Also, the mids lack clarity, and you can fix this with an EQ, or you can leave it as is. The soundstage feels noticeably smaller compared to the REX5. Otherwise, the sound is spacious, detailed, and natural. Just right for thoughtful listening. The Noble Audio Osprey confidently lands in the silver league of MyChooz.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.00 In quiet conditions: 7 In noisy conditions: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.23 Implemented as an afterthought. On the plus side, the signal is stable and the sound doesn’t drop out with LDAC on the quality preset at a distance of 1-2 m. Active noise cancellation works if you find the right ear tips. And battery life is up to 9 hours with the AAC codec. The transparency mode isn’t great for use, the controls work only sometimes – usually when you don’t need them, and there’s nothing useful in the app.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.83 It feels solid and reliable in your hands, and metal is rarely found in TWS headphones. The build quality, materials, and look completely copy the REX5. The headphones look good, but they have no individuality. The headphones are comfortable, you just need to pick the right size and ear pads. Otherwise, the headphones won’t stay in your ears, or you might feel the need to adjust them.More details.
- A moderately bright sound with deep bass.
- Solid and reliable build quality.
- Stable signal with the LDAC codec.
- Average features: poor transparency mode, not much use from the app.
12. Sony WH-1000XM5 8.14Best wireless over-ear headphones with noise cancellation 2026
Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best wireless over-ear headphones with noise cancellation among over-ear models. The main reason to buy: reference-level noise cancellation and transparency, signature low-frequency sound, a detailed microphone, and a comfortable fit. With the LDAC codec, we get up to 15% better sound quality. Among the drawbacks – the hinges don’t withstand intense stress and break.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.13 The earbuds have a low-frequency enveloping sound – typical for the earbud series. The main plus of the sound is the soundstage, naturalness, and detail. There’s no artificiality or grain; there’s separation of instruments and effects in space. The main drawback of the sound is the low frequencies. There’s a slight excess in quantity, and the sound gets a bassy tint, while bass-heavy tracks sound boomy. Plus, there’s not enough clarity in the vocals.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.00 In quiet conditions: 8 In noisy conditions: 6 The earbuds have 8 microphones, but only 4 are used for calls. In quiet conditions, the recording is detailed, the first words are muffled, and faint clicks are heard. In noisy conditions, the recording quality is noticeably worse, but you can make out the words.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.60 The earbuds are comfortable, the earcups put minimal pressure on the ears, and you want to take a break after about 2 hours. No complaints about build quality or materials. Only the coating is prone to smudges and requires daily care. The weak point in the design is the hinges, with frequent breaks at the point where the earcup turns. The earbuds look good, with 5 colors to choose from.More details.
- Reference-level noise cancellation and transparency
- Signature low-frequency sound
- Detailed microphone and comfortable fit
- Best automatic EQ tuning
- Fragile hinges
- Smudge-prone coating
13. Audeze Maxwell 2 8.12Best gaming earbuds for soundstage width
Audeze Maxwell 2 are versatile headphones for gaming, music, and video. Although there aren’t many changes compared to the previous generation. The second generation got heavier, and using the headphones is just as uncomfortable as with the first version. After about 30-40 minutes, you need to take a break. And in between using the headphones, you’ll be shaking your neck like Formula 1 drivers. Therefore, you can only consider these headphones for short gaming sessions; they’re not an option for outdoor use at all. And only for the sake of the sound can you endure all the discomforts of the headphones’ build. True, you need to tweak the EQ a bit, because the out-of-the-box sound is a bit muffled.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.85 With an emphasis on highs. There’s a slight lack of bass. The headphones’ strong suit is the soundstage. The sound is spacious like in a large concert hall. There’s no artificiality or graininess, and you can pick out micro-details. Out of the box, the Audeze Maxwell 2 are close to the gold league MyChooz. A couple of EQ adjustments will help unlock the headphones’ potential.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 8.00 In quiet conditions: 9 In noisy conditions: 7 It has a built-in microphone, and you can optionally connect a flexible boom microphone. The built-in mic clearly transmits speech in quiet conditions or with minimal background noise, you only hear extra reverb. In noisy conditions, speech is unintelligible, even the “microphone noise cancellation filter” option doesn’t help. The boom mic offers better quality, comparable to budget dynamic mics. In noisy conditions, the “microphone noise cancellation filter” blocks noise better, and speech is understandable.Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.42 The headphones have convenient controls for basic player actions or switching EQ presets. All your custom presets are saved in the headphones and available when you switch sources. The connection is stable over the radio channel and with the LDAC codec via Bluetooth. There’s no active noise cancellation, though the passive isolation is enough to block out ambient noise. There’s an analog of transparency mode – “Self-listening” for convenient conversations while wearing the headphones.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 7.33 Durable and reliable, build quality and materials are great. However, the headphones are excessively heavy — 560 g. These are probably the heaviest wireless headphones on the market. Therefore, you can wear the headphones for about 30-40 minutes, after that you just have to endure the pressure on your head and the stuffiness inside the earcups, especially if you use them in the summer.More details.
- Wide soundstage, detailed and natural sound.
- 18 actions for controls.
- 3 connection methods: wired, wireless, and radio channel.
- Detailed microphone in quiet conditions.
- Heavy build quality – 560 g.
- Drivers sensitive to overload.
- No sound pressure like in headphones with a dynamic driver.
14. Sony WH-1000XM6 8.11Good big Bluetooth headphones – a new model from Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6 are good over-ear Bluetooth headphones and the latest model in the series. The main reason to buy: reference-quality noise cancellation and transparency, low-frequency sound, and the convenient proprietary “find my EQ” feature, which cuts down sound tuning to a couple of clicks. With the LDAC codec, we get up to 10-12% more overall sound quality. As for drawbacks: the earcups press on the ears and discomfort starts from the first minutes of use, the hinges are not durable and need careful handling.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.48 Low-frequency, similar in character to the WH-1000XM4 model. Vocals sound close, the timbre of low- and high-frequency instruments is distinct. The soundstage is mainly wide, with no noticeable artificiality or distortion. Comfortable sound without major drawbacks. There’s just a slight excess of bass, not enough transparency in the mids, and a lack of brightness. Though, you can fix this in the app’s EQ with a “couple” of clicks.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.40 In quiet conditions: 7.8 In noisy conditions: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 8.68 The headphones have reference-level noise cancellation and transparency among full-size models. Battery life in the series doesn’t change — 30-40 hours with noise cancellation used. Control is mostly touch for managing playback and calls. The app is useful, but the multi-level menu structure is inconvenient, and with the ‘find your EQ’ feature, it’s easier to set up the sound from 4-5 options with different tones. The signal is stable up to 10 m with the LDAC codec and quality bitrate.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 6.33 Uncomfortable, the clamping force of the earcups is stronger than the previous generation. My maximum in headphones is an hour, then I need to take a break. Build quality and materials are fine. The weak part of the headphones is the hinges, they break under intense load. The design is nice and neat. 3 colors to choose from.More details.
- Reference-quality noise cancellation and transparency
- Detailed microphone
- Low-frequency sound without too much bass
- The earcups press on the ears
- The hinges need careful handling
- Little detail retrieval
15. EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus 8.09BEST TWS Earbuds Under $100 with LDAC and AptX Codecs
The main reason to buy: detailed sound with great vocal delivery and excellent naturalness. The app has sound settings. There are LDAC and 3 aptX codecs. A translator for 146 languages and dialects. The earbuds are sensitive to EQ settings, so the sound is worth adjusting. In many ways, the earbuds beat the Realme Buds Air 7 Pro — and that’s saying something. Downsides: average noise cancellation and transparency, and you might not like the controls.
The overall sound score is calculated using the formula:
Frequency Balance + Detail + Stage + Naturalness / 4 = overall sound score.
. 8.33 The Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus really shines with its amazing vocal delivery. If you want emotional, lively, soul-stirring vocals in almost any song, these are it. The sound’s natural timbre is also excellent. This is true even with the balanced armature driver’s slightly cool tint. My main complaint is the narrow soundstage. This causes minor issues with detail and instrument placement. The earbuds also need a bit more bass. But you can easily fix that with the EQ. The ‘rock’ preset works best.More details.
Microphone — the quality rating of speech transmission. We test the microphone in 2 main usage scenarios: quiet and noisy environments.
Quiet environment — recording indoors with minimal background noise. Noisy environment — recording outside near a 6-lane road with maximum traffic noise.
. 7.50 In quiet conditions: 8 In noisy conditions: 7Overall feature score — this is the overall score for all device features. This score comes from individual feature ratings (battery life, controls, app, connection stability, and others) and shows how easy and smart the device is for daily use.
. 7.63 The noise cancellation works well. It suppresses about 40-50% of low-frequency noise. Transparency mode gives you good audibility. When you talk with the earbuds in, it feels like your ears are plugged. Your own voice resonates strongly in your head through your inner ear. In our tests, battery life was up to 10 hours with the codec. You get an extra 30 hours with the charging case. Controls are touch-based, with up to 4 taps per earbud. The app is user-friendly. It even has a translator for 146 languages and dialects.More details.
Final build quality score is the overall score for build quality and materials: comfort, durability, and design. It shows how nice the device is to hold and use, and how long it will last.
. 8.17 The earbuds are comfortable. You might feel minor fatigue after a couple of hours. The build quality and materials are solid. The earbuds look good, but they won’t blow you away. They come in 3 colors.More details.
- Detailed sound
- Sound settings: 10-band EQ, ready-made presets, personal tuning
- Translator for 165 languages and dialects
- LDAC and 3 aptX Bluetooth codecs
- The highs can be a bit harsh
- Sometimes the balanced armature driver resonates
- Battery life is less than advertised
See more models with the LDAC codec in our MyChooz Top 100 Headphones ranking
Look at where these earbuds rank in our main charts:
- Best Wireless Earbuds TWS 2026 regardless of price
- Best TWS Earbuds under $100 2026
- Best Budget Wireless Earbuds under $50 2026
- Best Big Headphones — TOP Over-Ear 2026
- Best Over-Ear Headphones under $100 2026
- Best Open-Ear Earbuds 2026
